Faltering economy can cause "escalation in anxiety levels" says Priory psychiatrist

• The economy is struggling, putting millions of jobs at risk
• Job loss and insecurity is a major cause of ill-health and anxiety
• Economic problems add to the rise in mental health conditions
• Priory expert warns of an "escalation in anxiety levels"
• Psychiatrist, Dr Natasha Bijlani, gives tips for coping

Ignoring severe anxiety can lead to depression and be more challenging to treat and manage, a Priory psychiatrist warned today, as she spoke of escalating ‘anxiety’ levels.

Dr Natasha Bijlani made her comments as the economic strain caused by the pandemic has begun to bite; there are reports of entry-level pub positions receiving hundreds of applicants, as people are laid off from other work. Although the government’s furlough scheme is in place until October, fears are growing that millions will find their jobs have disappeared when it ends.

Experts are warning that economic instability will, in turn, cause people’s anxiety levels to increase. The pandemic was already having a major effect on mental health. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently published a study showing that 39% of people who are married or in a civil partnership – and most likely to be homeschooling as well as juggling other commitments - report high levels of anxiety, compared with just 19% before the pandemic.

“In addition to fears about our physical health, one of the major consequences of this pandemic has been the significant impact on the economy,” said Dr Bijlani, Consultant Psychiatrist at Priory Hospital Roehampton. “Many people have either lost their jobs or are under threat of unemployment. This has led to a further escalation in anxiety levels.”

While feeling anxious or worried during a difficult time is natural, it becomes a problem when it stops a person going about their daily life, creating issues in their work and home lives. Dr Bijlani explained: “While anxiety is a very normal and natural response to stress, and can actually enhance performance, excess levels become counter-productive and hinder one's ability to function properly.”

If anxiety issues are not dealt with, they can go on to cause more serious problems. Dr Bijlani said: “Ignoring extreme anxiety can lead to far worse consequences than even job loss, as severe anxiety can lead to depression and be more challenging to treat and manage.”

One of economists’ biggest fears is that the furlough scheme is potentially masking the fact that many jobs are no longer economically viable. Some companies have already begun the process of consulting their employees about redundancy, and more are expected to follow over the course of the summer and autumn.  

The pressures of looking for work, or being at a firm undergoing job cuts as a result of the pandemic, will also cause many people anxiety issues. Dr Bijlani says it's important to try to face these feelings head-on in order to manage them. “Acknowledge and accept how you feel and try and remember that it's extremely understandable under the circumstances. Try not to let your worried thoughts disrupt your feelings completely.”

Anxiety isn't only going to affect the people unfortunate enough to lose their jobs. For everyone else, there will be a fear that it could happen to them and with that, the desire to make sure employers are happy with their work. This can bring dangers of its own. Dr Bijlani cautions against responding to them by taking on an unmanageable workload. “You might feel tempted to work harder than ever, in order to ‘prove your worth’, but unfortunately, this is likely to have a deleterious effect in the long run and cannot be sustained indefinitely. It's important to avoid burnout.”

If you're suffering from anxiety, there are some steps you can take yourself to try to manage and mitigate it. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle doesn’t just bring physical benefits - it's also good for your mental health. Dr Bijlani advises people to “ensure that you're getting enough sleep, nutrition and hydration. For your mind to function optimally, it's essential that you try and achieve this balance”. She continued: “Make sure you take adequate rest breaks during the day and try to keep within reasonable working hours.”

Even if you're one of the unlucky ones who does find themselves out of work during this crisis, Dr Bijlani advises: “Try and use the time to build up your skills and rethink ways in which you could adapt your training and education to apply for different economic opportunities as they arise.”

Anxiety can feel all-consuming, but Dr Bijlani says it's important to take time out from working and worrying, to do small things you enjoy. “Try and do something each day that brings you pleasure and helps you relax. Regular physical exercise, reading, listening to music, communicating with friends and family or pursuing a hobby can all improve your sense of wellbeing.” She also advises reaching out to your GP or a mental health professional and investigating therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) if you feel mentally ‘swamped’.

Depending on the severity of your mental health condition and symptoms, as well as other needs, there are a number of treatments you can benefit from.

Outpatient therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of mental health concerns, including treatment for depression, anxiety and stress. 

ENDS

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About Priory and MEDIAN

Priory is the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health services. We treat more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across our nationwide network of sites. We also support autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within our specialist residential care and supported living facilities – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.

Priory is part of the MEDIAN Group, one of Europe’s leading providers of high quality mental health and rehabilitation services. The MEDIAN Group comprises 290 facilities with 5,000 beds caring for 28,000 people in the UK, 120 facilities with 20,000 beds caring for around 250,000 patients in Germany, and 15 facilities with 2,000 beds caring for 13,000 people in Spain, with more than 29,000 employees overall.